A Heart-Wrenching Masterpiece
Some films leave a fleeting impression, while others carve themselves into your soul, refusing to let go. Better Days (2019) is the latter—a cinematic triumph that transcends the boundaries of storytelling and becomes an experience. Without a doubt, this film has cemented itself in my top 10 movies of all time. It is a raw, visceral, and deeply evocative portrayal of youth, trauma, and the desperate yearning for hope in a world that often seems cruel.
What struck me most about Better Days was its authenticity. Every emotion, every fleeting smile, every tear-soaked moment felt so painfully real. If you have ever been a teenager, this film will resonate with you on a profoundly personal level. It captures the unspoken frustrations, the quiet battles, and the unrelenting turmoil that come with that phase of life. The cinematography itself enhances this sense of realism—close-up shots of the characters’ skin, the exhaustion in their eyes, and the heavy silence between words make you live their experiences, not just witness them.
Zhou Dongyu and Jackson Yee deliver performances that are nothing short of extraordinary. These two don’t just act; they breathe life into their characters. The pain in their eyes, the hesitation in their voices, the unguarded vulnerability—these are performances that deserve every award possible, perhaps even an Oscar. There’s an undeniable angstiness that will leave you in pieces, making you bawl your eyes out, yet you won’t be able to look away.
Beyond its emotional depth, Better Days is a harrowing reflection of reality. The film sheds light on bullying—one of the most insidious forms of cruelty that exists, especially among the young. Even if one has never faced severe physical abuse, we have all, at some point, felt belittled, outcast, or ridiculed. This film doesn't shy away from showing the brutal consequences of such torment. It makes you question the world we live in, the systems that fail to protect the vulnerable, and the silent struggles countless individuals endure.
While on the surface, Better Days may seem like another enemies-to-lovers trope wrapped in a dark, angst-filled package, it is so much more. It is a rollercoaster of emotions, one that forces you to confront uncomfortable truths. It is thought-provoking, yet somehow, in moments when you least expect it, it makes you smile. It reminds us that even in the bleakest of times, happiness can still find a way to exist, even if only for a fleeting moment.
The ending is nothing short of perfection—the kind that lingers in your mind long after the credits roll. The actors seamlessly transition into their adult roles, embodying a maturity that is both palpable and deeply moving. The shift in their demeanor is remarkable; no longer are they controlled by their emotions, but rather, they have gained the strength to control them. The weight of their past does not define them anymore—it shapes them into individuals who can finally breathe freely, unshackled from the chains of their former lives. There is an immense sense of relief, a cathartic realization that, at last, they hold their future in their own hands. The freedom to simply exist as themselves is a luxury they have fought for, and now, they finally get to embrace it.
As one wise soul once said, "Sometimes, in this small life, all we humans need is happiness above all." This film embodies that sentiment—through pain, through hardship, through tragedy, there remains an undying flicker of hope.
Better Days is not just a movie; it is an experience that will haunt you, move you, and ultimately, change you. If you haven’t seen it yet, prepare yourself for one of the most powerful films of this generation.
What struck me most about Better Days was its authenticity. Every emotion, every fleeting smile, every tear-soaked moment felt so painfully real. If you have ever been a teenager, this film will resonate with you on a profoundly personal level. It captures the unspoken frustrations, the quiet battles, and the unrelenting turmoil that come with that phase of life. The cinematography itself enhances this sense of realism—close-up shots of the characters’ skin, the exhaustion in their eyes, and the heavy silence between words make you live their experiences, not just witness them.
Zhou Dongyu and Jackson Yee deliver performances that are nothing short of extraordinary. These two don’t just act; they breathe life into their characters. The pain in their eyes, the hesitation in their voices, the unguarded vulnerability—these are performances that deserve every award possible, perhaps even an Oscar. There’s an undeniable angstiness that will leave you in pieces, making you bawl your eyes out, yet you won’t be able to look away.
Beyond its emotional depth, Better Days is a harrowing reflection of reality. The film sheds light on bullying—one of the most insidious forms of cruelty that exists, especially among the young. Even if one has never faced severe physical abuse, we have all, at some point, felt belittled, outcast, or ridiculed. This film doesn't shy away from showing the brutal consequences of such torment. It makes you question the world we live in, the systems that fail to protect the vulnerable, and the silent struggles countless individuals endure.
While on the surface, Better Days may seem like another enemies-to-lovers trope wrapped in a dark, angst-filled package, it is so much more. It is a rollercoaster of emotions, one that forces you to confront uncomfortable truths. It is thought-provoking, yet somehow, in moments when you least expect it, it makes you smile. It reminds us that even in the bleakest of times, happiness can still find a way to exist, even if only for a fleeting moment.
The ending is nothing short of perfection—the kind that lingers in your mind long after the credits roll. The actors seamlessly transition into their adult roles, embodying a maturity that is both palpable and deeply moving. The shift in their demeanor is remarkable; no longer are they controlled by their emotions, but rather, they have gained the strength to control them. The weight of their past does not define them anymore—it shapes them into individuals who can finally breathe freely, unshackled from the chains of their former lives. There is an immense sense of relief, a cathartic realization that, at last, they hold their future in their own hands. The freedom to simply exist as themselves is a luxury they have fought for, and now, they finally get to embrace it.
As one wise soul once said, "Sometimes, in this small life, all we humans need is happiness above all." This film embodies that sentiment—through pain, through hardship, through tragedy, there remains an undying flicker of hope.
Better Days is not just a movie; it is an experience that will haunt you, move you, and ultimately, change you. If you haven’t seen it yet, prepare yourself for one of the most powerful films of this generation.
Was this review helpful to you?
